Nothing stirred in Deasylva’s circle.
The wide spaces that lay between each ancient tree could hold hundreds of witches, yet nothing moved. Not a light, not a voice. Only endless, vapid darkness. A mask, given by the trees. Black night so complete it looked like a dark hole had overtaken the world.
Instinctively, I shied away from such utter shadow. Letum Wood was poised for this moment. Deasylva made certain of it.
Merrick reached out, held my arm. Though I knew the trees would keep me safe, I felt better with him at my side. Somewhere to the left lay the abandoned Dragonmaster village, a testament to hundreds of years of history. My right hand extended into the dark until the tips of my fingers met a hard, porous substance.
Bark.
Blue light bolted through the tree, climbing higher. The momentary flash illuminated Merrick’s face, the space around us, then faded. I had enough time to see that we stood in between the roots of Arborra, at the foot of the giant tree.
Chatter from the Brotherhood had been minimal. Hardly anyone spoke unless something pertinent happened. Updates from different parts of Alkarra, changes in weather that had significance. Increasing rain, lightning concentrated in an area.
“The Guardians are out there?” I asked.
Merrick made a noise in his throat. “Twenty Central Network contingents are in position here at the circle. Ten Southern Network, plus a couple of Western, too.”
“So few?”
“For now.”
“How many total contingents do we have available?”
“Hundreds. They’ll come in as needed. The Eastern Network is ready as a second wave. They’re somewhere else, with orders to transport in at certain spots.”
With only ten to thirteen witches per contingent, Network leadership were starting with low numbers. Darkness this vapid likely meant they’d want to test the battle first, see how many mortals advanced.
Protect the witches, Arborra?
Arborra’s voice came with unwavering confidence. The saplings join together to form barriers. The darkness is complete.
“Can demigods see in the dark?”
I felt Merrick shrug. “Not sure. Probably?”
We’ll have to assume so, I said through the Protector magic. A deathlike pall had fallen over the forest that I didn’t want to break again. Despite more than a hundred Guardians in position in Letum Wood, not a sound stirred.
No sough of wind.
No sigh of witch.
Silence.
The hair on the back of my arms stood up. A crack, then a bang, crashed overhead. The plink plink plink of rain followed, pattering my shoulders. It pinged off of Merrick’s half armor, a reminder that the gods had only just begun. This battle would be a struggle with war, destruction, and survival.
Updates from the Guardians? Matthais asked. His voice moved through my mind like a ripple. Merrick’s head turned, as if he was looking off to the side. Matthais must have sent it to all the Brotherhood.
To my surprise, Talmund replied. The initial wave of Guardians is in position, with orders to sow chaos and discord, destroying as many mortals and demigods as they can manage. More remain ready to transport in for support when needed. If possible, all Guardians will try to get an amulet. They’ve been instructed to assist any Protector if asked.
Any idea how many demigods to expect? Papa asked.
No, I said. Ventis has less than ten children that might be willing to fight—we aren’t sure which of his daughters would volunteer. Tontes has an unknown number, but guesses have varied from twenty to seventy-five to over a hundred demigod children.
Busy man, Papa muttered.
Despite myself, I chuckled. Rognvald cut through my amusement. Any sign of the enemy?
Only the rain, Talmund said.
Any other leaders with you, Talmund? Matthais asked.
Niko Aldana commands his forces. Alina is here as well, protected by a demigod named Tipa. When the battle starts, Tipa will take her to the Arck in the Western Network, where Scarlett, Aldred, Lana, and a Council Member from the North are commanding the strategy.
Neither report startled me, but I frowned all the same. Having Network leaders in the battle complicated our potential losses, particularly in the Southern Network, as Alina hadn’t named the new High Priest yet. I couldn’t worry about that now. That was Talmund’s business.
Trust, Grandfather reminded me.
The gods were out there, somewhere. That was my only focus. The rest would have to work itself out. Merrick tightened. I swung around, startled by a distinct and ringing sound in the emptiness.
Whispers.
Hushed voices. A chattering language, not our own. The lilting accent, flowing words, immediately swept me back to Alaysia. Cloud cover packed the sky, preventing moonlight from giving us more visual aid. I cupped my hands around my ears to hear better. A spell amplified the voices.
Undeniably Alaysian.
They came from the other side of Arborra, to my right. A few at first, then more soft sounds followed. Did the demigods use magic to bring the mortals here a few at a time? I could imagine no other way they’d get them here. Unless Ventis or Tontes did it themselves and all at once.
Arborra’s footprint spanned so wide I could barely hear the voices. I pattered closer, winced when mud squelched beneath my feet.
Mortals have arrived, I said to the Protectors. Around the northernmost ancient. They’re coming around both sides of Arborra, ancient number one.
Understood, Talmund replied.
The quiet returned. Only a shuffle betrayed them.
Hold to the plan, Merrick said just to me, as if he could sense my anticipation to get the mortals out of here.
The trees are ready, I said to everyone.
Merrick gripped my shoulder, squeezed. The reassuring motion quelled my rising uncertainty and fear.
Mortals to the south and southeast corners, came Chi’s low, steady voice. Near ancient number six and five.
Confirmed on the east, Rognvald said, near ancient three.
Papa’s voice filled my head felt like a comforting hug. Confirmed on the west, between ancients eight, nine, and ten. I believe we’re surrounded, gentlemen, he said brightly.
And lady, I said.
A laugh filled Papa’s voice when he replied. Welcome, Sisterhood. We’re pleased to have you.
In the darkness, I grinned. No matter what happened tonight, Papa fought with us. We faced the best possible chances with all these witches working together.
Awaiting orders from the mission leader, Matthais said. The open sound of his voice, as if it reverberated through stone halls, made it clear he’d said it to all the Protectors. Such a comment meant they waited on me.
I turned to the magic, feeling the forest out.
Hold your positions, I said after a moment.
To Arborra, I asked, Is it time to start the plan?
A faint tension filled my chest, then faded.
It is time.
With a shoulder-expanding breath, I spoke into the magic. Initiate the mission, starting with the southern edge. All of you have your assignments. Find an amulet, the trees will take it from there. Good luck.
Like a curtain drawn away, moonlight fell into the circle. The forest removed the magic they’d hidden behind, starting along the southern edge. Shadows peeled away in a sheet. Bruised light appeared, illuminating the forest. The stalwart ancients stood as black sentinels. A greenish forest floor, mostly coated in night, came next. The wink of armor, a glint of sword, a hint of weak torchlight, scattered here and there.
Hushed voices followed.
Surprise.
Shock.
With the dissipating darkness came movement. Trees skidded across the landscape. Along the southern edge of the circle, the ground churned. Roots sprayed clods of dirt that landed with heavy thuds. Like wild snakes, the roots plunged back into the soil, grabbed onto something below the dirt, then pulled. Some of the saplings, unable to pull themselves from the ground, would be sacrificed in the attempt.
They groaned with the herculean effort of moving through the heavy mud, forming a screen along the inside of the circle that lessened the battlefield area. It would force mortals to fight in a more dispersed way, drawing them out.
As the trees drove closer together, the barricade tightened in a braid of branches, impenetrable by anything bigger than an arrow.
Victorious songs rang in the back of my mind, exultant as the forest changed.
We fight.
We conquer.
We defeat.
I nearly giggled at their exultant song. The trees uprooted themselves with surprising joy. Another burst of wind swept through the leaves overhead, but none stirred my hair.
Guardians to reveal themselves in five, Talmund said.
Silently, I counted backwards.
Two . . .
One . . .
Hundreds of Guardians came into view, massed around the edges of the circle the saplings had just formed. Torches sprang to life with them, sending beams of buttery light onto the sodden ground.
Their half armor had a dull shine in the muted blaze, bouncing with the flow of flames. Each Guardian stood tensed, ready. Contingents blurred into each other, standing close.
Sword in hand, Merrick leaned forward, legs braced. I wrapped my left hand around Viveet, but kept her in the sheath.
The mortals stood just beyond the light cast from the Guardians, visible only as vague shapes that moved here and there. Witches paused, barely stirred. The trees calmed, silent as a tomb.
A cry rang from the mortals.
They advanced.
Bodies flooded the area. As one, they came upon the circle. Gritted teeth. Flexed arms. Gleaming weapons. Running legs. Several hundred immediately rushed at the witches. For mortals, they were shockingly hale and hearty. A brute force of people with as much reason to fight as us.
With grunts and shouts, the mortals threw themselves as one against the Guardian forces, pressed tight against the circle of trees.
The Guardians disappeared.
Like popping bubbles, they exploded. A spell, all of it. Only the torches remained, flickering in the inky night. The mortals stumbled, collapsed on top of each other. Those at the back of the advance tripped over falling bodies as they attempted to keep their feet. Their battle fury stalled into sheer confusion.
Guardians incoming again, Talmund said in the dry tone of a battlefield leader. We estimate five hundred mortals on their initial attack. New contingents activated. We’ll match their numbers.
A voice rose above the others, off to the left. I swung around to look that way, spotted what had to be a demigod. Underneath a dark-sleeved shirt came a subtle gleam. What appeared to be a working amulet wrapped the wrist.
From this distance, I confirmed they were a demigod with a touch of their allure, and listened to the instinct that believed it true.
Demigod to the west, I said to Rognvald. Take that one, please. He has long hair in braids, around his shoulders.
Understood.
Another voice shouted from the east. I reached higher up the bark, felt for a grip, and used my legs to push to a better position. Another presumed demigod that way, though no visible amulet.
Chi, a potential demigod to the east. He’s wearing a black vest over what appears to be a brown shirt. Not confirmed, but he has a touch of allure and I don’t think his eyes are golden. Amulet location is unknown.
Understood.
Mortals shoved back to their feet, whirled around. Two other potential demigods appeared to the south, too far away for me to be certain. An assignment to Papa and Regina would take care of them.
Four assigned.
Tontes had sixteen amulets. Papa had captured one at the Gimsteinar mine months ago, and I had stolen one near my cottage tonight, which left fourteen at large. Ventis had an unknown number of amulets floating out there. Arguably, at least ten, if not more, though Letum Wood had taken one days ago.
Finally, the mortals seemed to have gathered themselves back together. They stood near the trees, eyes darting around. A moment of quiet followed.
Then a roar.
Guardians advanced from the dark band of trees all at once. Hundreds transported into position and charged, swords flashing, half armor glinting. More torches appeared, flooding the circle with greater light.
Archers stepped out of hidden spots higher in the bark of the ancients, loosing arrows on the mortals. Heavy thwacks of arrows hitting flesh, snapping ribs, followed. Screams filled the air. Blood spurted. Whenever a mortal fell, they disappeared.
Unharmed mortals scurried away from the Guardians. Trees bound together, attempting to keep them inside the circle. Demigods countered by ripping the trees in half, yanking them out of the earth with god magic. Entire saplings were uprooted and flung through the air like cabers. Half a contingent of Guardians fell when a flying tree slammed into them. Groans issued over the sound of increasing raindrops and wind.
Commands shouted back and forth in Alkarran and Alaysian, in between splashes of bodies falling in the mud. Chaos reigned.
I ignored it.
Matthais, I called. Confirmed demigod to the northwest. Blonde hair, female, slender body, with a blue blazer. The amulet is on her left hand in a ring. It’s a purple one named Alasparin, and it’s known as a more powerful Tontes amulet, so be wary.
Understood.
Five amulets assigned.
Three to go.
I climbed higher, disguising myself under an invisibility spell. The bark provided ample handholds as I scaled.
Merrick?
Here.
Head to the southeast. There might be three demigods speaking together, in between ancients seven and eight. One of them used magic to stop a Guardian advance. I’m not sure of the other two. Proceed carefully, I’m not sure if a leader is amongst them.
Is there a leader over the demigods?
“I hope so,” I muttered to myself.
Not a clear one yet, I said to Merrick.
Understood.
Guardians continued to advance from the forest. Within the darkness, more mortals appeared, as if both sides had an ever-populating army. When a mortal fell, magic took them away, which meant that demigods must be watching. A constant flow of magic would also mean that the power of their amulets would expire eventually.
Unless Ventis or Tontes worked here.
Arborra, any demigods in the trees?
We observe none.
Remove them immediately if they attempt to climb.
As you command.
If you see an opportunity to help Guardians?
We shall.
Slightly mollified, I climbed higher. We had three amulets left to assign out and the battle had only been waging for fourteen, maybe fifteen minutes. So far, so good. Yet I couldn't count on anything in the battle going according to plan. I pushed myself to climb higher. Our success relied on finding the amulets immediately.
A familiar flash of purple caught my eye from the other side of the circle as Guardians backed away. Mortals moved to the middle in a circular formation. Their chests heaved. Blood stained their shirts, their skin. Guardians lay on the ground between the two forces. Vines crawled through the melee, wrapped around injured Guardian ankles, and pulled them to safety. Guardians chugged water as the bodies cleared. Mortals glared.
I straightened.
That amulet color . . .
Across the way, familiar white-and-gray hair moved into sight. The demigod female that destroyed my house wove through mortals standing off to the side, panting. Others flowed in her wake, jogging to keep up with her long strides. She commanded respect on such a backdrop. My cottage flipped through my mind.
My home.
I tightened my grip on the tree. Arborra spoke, as if it sensed my distress.
The ill-fated return.
“She has another amulet. She’s the same demigod that commanded the mudslides that destroyed my house. Shall we obtain it together?”
A vine wrapped my waist, tightening in a reassuring squeeze.
We shall.
* * *
While I crept through the forest, avoiding the goriest parts of battle along the edge of the circle, battlefield conversations flowed through my mind.
There doesn’t seem to be any organization between demigods and mortals, Papa said to the Protectors. From what I can tell, the mortals aren’t following an individual demigod. The fighting mortals seem to work together, apart from the demigods.
The mortals are moved with magic when they are in harm’s way, or injured, Chi said next. But I also cannot decide if it is done by demigods, or something else.
Confirmed three amulets, Merrick said. Two of them split away. I tracked them toward ancient number ten.
Will follow, Chi said. Mine disappeared.
I’ll remain on this one, Merrick said.
So few amulets means they’re holding more in reserve, Matthais muttered, his voice dark. Let’s just get this done.
Our reality sent a chill all the way through my bones. Indeed. A wise god would hold some of his amulets in reserve. Observations of the battlefield further painted a bleak picture. Unknowns and questions populated everywhere, intensifying my impatience.
Despite the importance of strategic attack and observation, I wanted another amulet already. A win to keep us going to the next one.
Panicked saplings called from the back of my mind, but older trees calmed them. Guidance, discussion ensued. I mentally set them aside. The trees would care for each other now. The saplings were not my responsibility in the same way as before.
The urge to know what was happening with Baxter distracted me too much as I invisibly worked toward the moving female. Did he find Nicomedianthekus? Was all of this for nothing? I shoved aside that question for now.
Baxter would come through.
On this side of the circle, Guardians and mortals had separated; each sized the other up from opposite sides. Brawny mortals at the back spoke rapidly. Heads nodded. Teeth were bared. New plans, no doubt. The battle continued on the other side.
With a curse, I realized too late that we should have asked Baxter to put god magic on Merrick so he could understand Alaysian.
A flash of familiar dark hair drew my gaze across the circle, to the other side of the ancients. Niko stood in front of several contingents of East Guards. He wore armor, carried a sword with a long, gleaming blade. His lips moved. Concentration tightened his face into the hard angles of a leader. Dutiful Guardians remained at his side. Priscilla would be undeniably proud of him when she heard of this.
I silently wished him well, and pressed on.
The demigod female appeared at random intervals; her new amulet was a large gem instead of a collection of several smaller. She stood out of the main circle, but not far enough. I followed as best I could, barely able to keep her in sight.
I’m going after amulet number seven, I said to the Brotherhood. With the three amulets Merrick confirmed, and the others I assigned, we have enough in this circle to hunt. We still only have two Tontes amulets captured and need at least six more, seven to be safe. Let me know when you have obtained one and given it to the forest.
A chorus of Understood followed.
I climbed a root from the next ancient over to give myself a better vantage point. Mortals attempted to fan out, sneaking into the trees. If the occasional glint of silver in the darkness meant anything, the Guardians anticipated such a move.
A cry resounded over the field.
Another charge.
Mortals hurtled across the circle, running fast as their sturdy legs would carry them. Guardians transported in their midst, slashing with swords. Screams and gurgles followed. One Guardian grabbed a mortal by the arm, attempted to stab between the ribs.
Both vanished.
The female demigod had stopped to watch the battle. She stood two hundred paces away, her lower half hidden in a root well. Silver hair cascaded down her shoulders, near her elbow. With her arms, she gestured higher. Battlecries and clashes covered background thunder. Lightning illuminated the distant forest, momentarily brightening the floor. Her hair flashed white, then faded.
She stood too far away to rush her, even invisibly. Historically, she moved too often. Mortals surrounded her, as well. If I transported to her side, I’d throw myself into the middle of a bigger problem and not come out with an amulet.
On instinct, I reached out to the tree. Light bloomed beneath my touch, sinking deep into the wood.
What’s your name? I asked.
Balooma, the ancient whispered.
“Will you help me?”
We protect you.
The deep voice, steady and keen, reminded me of Arborra, though distinctly different in tone. I smiled, comforted by a surge of affection that followed. I switched to thinking through the magic so Balooma could understand my plans.
Tell me your thoughts, Balooma.
We surprise them.
How?
Where they don’t expect you.
My forehead ruffled. Where wouldn’t they expect me?
Dirt trembled beneath my feet. I stepped back. A brown circle began to form in the thick earth. Clods of soil danced on top, like beads of oil across a hot pan. Solid ground gave way, rolling back to form a hole. The little pit deepened as loam pressed to the side, wide and deep. A handbreadth at a time, the hole burrowed into the earth, as if invisible arms scooped it away.
With a gasp, I realized what Balooma meant.
You want me to go underneath?
I save you, it said.
Without words or images, I understood what the tree meant. The hole was just wide enough for my shoulders and body to shuffle through. I gazed around, but no one seemed to have noticed. All mortals kept their attention on the battle. The female demigod shifted to the side, stepping with her right foot.
No time to waste—she would be on the move soon.
Thank you.
Balooma said nothing as I ducked into the hole. Darkness, thick with loam and clay, left a dank tinge to the air. The claustrophobic hole wrapped around me like a close embrace as I hurried on my hands and knees. Mud slaked each wall, the ground saturated from the rains. Dirt and debris oozed between my fingers. Viveet’s sheath scraped the ground, collecting grime along her edge as I scurried along.
The burrowing gnomes at my cottage came to mind. Had they survived?
I hoped so.
My first attempt for the amulet failed, Rognvald growled. They’re fast and seem to be anticipating our moves.
Third attempt failed here, Matthais said. The first one I grabbed was fake.
Their magic is thought-based, I said. If you can’t take them by surprise, try to confuse them. Cloud their mind. If you can force them to focus on something else, it will be too hard for them to channel their intent into magic.
Understood, stated four other voices.
I kept going.
A hint of color appeared ahead of me, a faint blush of navy blue against sheer darkness. Mud trickled down my neck, coating my hair. I ignored it as I slipped back into an invisibility spell and emerged out the other side.
Once I crawled free, the hole disappeared.
The demigod stood in the same spot as I gained my feet and reassessed. A simple touch and I’d be able to grab the chain around her neck, but I wouldn’t fall for that again. The real amulet had to be somewhere on her body.
She turned, giving me a view of her profile, as she spoke to a mortal. Blood streaked his lips from where it poured out his nose. The edges dried to a darker crimson.
My gaze darted down her body. No hair accoutrements. No bracelet. No rings. No other obvious jewelry or suspicious bumps in the fabric.
Balooma, can you detect magic?
Yes.
God magic?
No.
I scowled. Her amulet must be somewhere under her dress, a gray piece with sleeves all the way to the wrists, skirts to the ground. My gaze tapered. She could make the amulet invisible with magic, of course . . .
Her left arm twitched. Her other hand moved to touch it, then stopped. She stiffened slightly, then forced herself to relax. She peered out, arms folded loosely across her middle, eyes narrowed into thin slits. Her lips pursed in deepest disapproval.
I straightened.
Interesting.
Nothing was visible on her left wrist or hand. Her dress gave no errant hints of light that indicated the god magic was in use from an amulet. Nor her other wrist or what I could see of her ankles.
On my command, Letum ivy sprang to life at my feet. Quick as a lizard, it crawled ahead. The ivy scooted over, dancing above a fallen body, and plunged beneath her skirt.
My heart pounded.
Can you feel an amulet on her ankles? It may not be visible, but it should be felt.
Not here, said Balooma.
Try the wrists.
The female glanced down, brow wrinkled. She shook her head and stepped back, as if searching for something. I dodged a mortal as they hurried by, almost knocking me off my feet.
It is on her wrist, Balooma said.
Grab it!
A squeak came from the female. She reached for her left wrist, where a hint of green showed from beneath the sleeve. I threw myself at the demigod to distract her. She fell beneath me as the vine disappeared.
It is obtained, Balooma murmured.
The vine retracted.
Send it to Gelas!
As you say.
I dodged a blow from the female. A vine fell, wrapping her free wrist as I gained my feet and slid Viveet from her sheath. The invisibility magic slipped away, revealing me as I pressed a smoldering Viveet to her neck.
She tensed, chin tilted back to avoid the cobalt fire, hissing. Her upper lip curled over her teeth.
“You destroyed my home,” I growled.
She snapped with her jaw, as if to bite me. I pressed the blade harder into her neck.
“You’ll never win, amulet-breaker!”
“Amulet-stealer would be more appropriate in this case. I think we could give the title of amulet-breaker to Gelas, if you were so inclined. He now has two amulets from you, thank you very much.”
Her gaze dropped to her left wrist. She circled it with her right fingers, then glared at me with resolute hatred. A feral cry came from deep in her throat. Her gleaming teeth bared, she snapped at me again, like a wild thing.
“Are you animal or demigod?”
“Alkarra is for the gods!” she shrieked.
“Then come and take it!” I shouted.
With greater strength than mine, she shoved to her feet. The force threw me back, slamming my spine into a root. Teeth gritted, I forced myself to stand.
The demigod advanced. Viveet slashed in a circle, tearing her dress open at the waist. A bright line of blood bubbled to the surface. She screamed, reached for me, but Viveet’s flames leapt to life. With a squeal of pain, she twirled away. The scent of burnt flesh lay acrid in the air.
I twirled into guard, Viveet between us.
With a scowl, she tilted her head back.
“Take me away!”
A smirk and she vanished.
Two men crashing together shoved me from behind. I scuttled out of sight, pressed closer to the trees, as I hurriedly re-sheathed Viveet. Protector voices poured through my head as I skirted the edge of the circle. Clashes continued throughout the interior, where the coppery scent of blood lay thick in the air. In the distance, I thought I saw Apothecaries bustling around witches.
Amulet obtained, I said.
My amulet not obtained, Rognvald cried. More mortals are coming.
Demigods pushing hard on the western flank, Chi said. I count four new demigods over here. The two recently-seen amulets are red, not gray or purple. The demigods attached to them are focusing away from the battle, looking at the trees.
Rain sprinted down now, turning everything slippery. Mortals and Guardians fell over each other in the middle, amidst the saplings that still formed an interior circle to lessen the battlefield space.
Screams rang out. Mortals that had fallen before returned to the fracas, completely healed. Silvery scars glittered on their bodies, but no blood.
There were two demigods over here, Merrick said, his voice broken, as if he panted. Can only find one. The other left, the first is hard to track. She leaves without a trace, there’s no way to follow. I keep losing her.
Papa responded. Mine has retreated as well.
Mine is also missing, Matthais said.
A dark sensation overtook my chest. For all the demigods to fade away around the same time meant . . . something.
Attempts to keep the Brotherhood straight in my head were almost met with failure. Chi had started on the eastern edge and had to push to the western edge? Ignis’ rebellious demigods were here now. To preserve Ventis’ and Tontes’, I’d wager.
Mortals spilling in from the north, Papa said with grim certainty. I estimate four hundred in a new wave.
South, too, Merrick said.
By my calculation, Talmund should anticipate a thousand new mortals en masse, Rognvald muttered.
Understood, Talmund said.
The forbidding reports overwhelmed me. Where were these mortals coming from? Tontes? Ventis? A combination? They could still have thousands of mortals between the two of them, for all I knew.
The plan from the Network leadership is to send in the second wave of Guardians, Talmund said. Fresh ones from the East and the North, but no one planned on this many mortals to fight. We won’t be able to stand long against their opposition. We’ll have to pull from our third wave, which will cripple us later tonight. Scarlett, Marten, Alina, and Lana are attempting to come up with another plan.
Our Guardians and Letum Wood had held the initial attack at bay, but we clearly weren’t prepared to support a brute force battle much longer. The losses had been greater than anticipated, if the frantic Apothecaries meant anything.
I tilted my head back to regard the rain.
We hadn’t lost yet.
It’s time to call the dragons, I said to the Protectors.
Quiet fell.
Talmund broke it in astonishment. What did she just say?
The magic shuffled inside me, as if it knew what to do. I felt it click into position, shifting my mind away from the Brotherhood. Reebis’ attention, her fury, connected with me like a tower of fire. I let the magic enter my blood with passion and rage. A scream, then a plume of flames, illuminated the night sky overhead.
Reebis? I called.
We are ready, Lady-witch of Letum Wood.
Happy hunting.
The dragons descended.